Speaker
Description
In the context of the pressing environmental and climate challenges, the topic of energy increasingly finds its way into spatial planning through emerging concepts such as Spatial Energy Planning or Integrated Energy Planning (e.g. De Pascali & Bagaini 2018; Stoeglehner & Abart-Heriszt 2022; Stoeglehner et al. 2016). These approaches include specific tools for analysing energy data, formulating strategic frameworks and developing methods that address spatial patterns of energy demand, the location and distribution of resources or sector coupling. Developed primarily within the domain of technical spatial planning, these approaches usually emphasise quantitative aspects of energy transitions, for instance through the integration of energy accounting and spatial modelling. Despite the significant advancements in fostering the integration of energy in spatial planning and the development of crucial tools for this purpose, these approaches, however, often overlook the societal context of energy systems and the political processes of transitioning them. Yet these societal considerations are imperative for comprehending the full potential and barriers of energy transitions and thus for shaping pathways that are specific to a local spatial context.
In contrast, the interdisciplinary research field of Social Science Energy Research has focused specifically on the embedding of energy in society, contributing significantly to understanding multi-level governance aspects, (political) power dynamics, questions of inequality and redistribution, processes of social innovation, as well as energy security and geopolitical concerns in energy transitions (e.g. Bridge et al. 2018; Foulds & Robison 2018; Sovacool 2014). Conversely, however, this body of work has rarely engaged with the field of spatial planning, leaving a critical gap in addressing how these societal and political insights could inform planning processes and outcomes.
This contribution explores this disciplinary divide between Spatial Energy Planning and Social Science Energy Research by examining their conceptual foundations and identifying potential points of integration. By bringing these approaches into discussion, this contribution aims to better embed spatial energy planning in societal contexts, drawing on a more holistic understanding of societal drivers, barriers, and adverse effects and to develop an interdisciplinary approach to planning energy transitions. Furthermore, this contribution also underscores the vital role of spatial planning in realising energy transitions that are effective, equitable, and socially inclusive, as part of a broader sociotechnical transformation.
References
Bridge, Gavin, Barr, Stewart, Bouzarovski, Stefan, Bradshaw, Michael, Brown, Ed, Bulkeley, Harriet & Walker, Gordon (2018) Energy and Society: A Critical Perspective. London: Routledge.
De Pascali, Paolo & Bagaini, Annamaria (2018): Energy Transition and Urban Planning for Local Development. A Critical Review of the Evolution of Integrated Spatial and Energy Planning. Energies, 12 (1), pp.1-21.
Foulds, Chris & Robison, Rosie (Hrsg.) (2018): Advancing Energy Policy: Lessons on the Integration of Social Sciences and Humanities. Cham: Springer International Publishing.
Sovacool, Benjamin K. (2014) What are we doing here? Analyzing fifteen years of energy scholarship and proposing a social science research agenda. Energy Research & Social Science, 1, pp.1-29.
Stoeglehner, G. & Abart-Heriszt, L. (2022): Integrated spatial and energy planning in Styria – A role model for local and regional energy transition and climate protection policies. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 165 (112587), pp.1-11.
Stoeglehner, Gernot, Neugebauer, Georg, Erker, Susanna & Narodoslawsky, Michael (2016) Integrated Spatial and Energy Planning. Cham: Springer International Publishing.
| Keywords | Spatial Energy Planning; Social Science; Transformative Planning; Interdisciplinarity; Conceptual Review |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
